When most people think of traditions, they think of holiday traditions. Holiday traditions and the recurrent experience of it every year, is a cornerstone of most people’s lives. These moments create positive memories for our children and create reliable events for everyone to participate year after year. It takes away the stress and anxiety of the unknown and the unpredictable. Traditions can anchor family members to to each other, providing a sense of unity and belonging.
There is an endless list of holiday traditions, ranging from surprising your neighbors with treats, starting an ornament collection, camping out under the tree, helping the needy, baking cookies for santa, and seeing candy cane lane.
Here are some examples of how families across America create traditions to be handed down.
- White Elephant Gift Exchange: Because of their sheer size, some families chose a “White Elephant” gift exchange. This adds a lot of humor and eases the anxiety and pressure of gift giving.
- Bake christmas cookies: Bring the cookies to a nursing home, homeless shelter, or a “Boys and Girls Club.”
- The 12 Days of Christmas: Each person gets a list of mixed up names and for the 12 days prior to Christmas Eve, puts a small wrapped gift in the stocking of the person that was on your list for that particular day. On Christmas Eve, families open the 12 small gifts.
- Autographs on a Tablecloth: Spread out a white tablecloth on the main table at Christmas dinner. At the end of the meal, everyone who was present writes their name, the year, and sometimes a short message. This is especially enchanting with children and seeing their handwriting change from year to year.
Holiday traditions come from the fundamental need that people have to be with each other and bond. What kind of traditions does your family have? Share your thoughts, ideas and memories!
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Sources:
https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/12-25-14-holiday-traditions-passed-down/
http://mommyperfect.com/2015/11/the-importance-of-holiday-traditions/
